As I reported after she was arrested in Russia a little over a year ago, Karelina was accused of donating money to Ukrainian causes. But not just any cause, she donated to a website that was explicitly raising funds to donate military equipment, including FPV drones and military IFAK (first aid) kits.
What’s curious about western reporting of the exchange that took place today, is how lacking they are in information about the person Karelina was exchanged for, Arthur Petrov, who was arrested in August 2023 on accusations of evading US controls on the sale of microelectronics.
Another interesting fact that is left out of western coverage is that he was arrested in Cyprus and extradited to the USA. In other words, Russia is accused of “lawfare” for arresting American citizens for breaking the law in Russia. Meanwhile, the US feels free to arrest foreign citizens anywhere in the world. Or at least anywhere in the world that has a government subordinated to US interests.
Even more curious, western news media, like this CNN article, directly cite “Russian state media” for information about Petrov. Was there really no American source that American media could use, and were forced to rely on the awful “Russian state media?”
News from the Diplomatic Front
Today Russia’s UN representative Vasily Nebenzya said his government is prepared for a serious dialogue about Ukraine, but will not allow such talks to be used to strengthen the Kiev regime. Note that despite agreements made to the contrary, i n the past 24 hours, Ukrainian air forces have attacked 11 different objects in Russian energy infrastructure.
Also today American and Russian delegates met for talks in Istanbul, which Russian sources called “constructive.”
Military Updates
According to TASS, foreign mercenaries operating in the Kursk direction were mainly from Georgia and Columbia, but there were also Anglo and French speakers in Sudzha.
On April 8, the Ministry of Defense shared a video of stormtroopers from the 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade training to storm enemy positions.
On This Day In History
81 years ago the Red Army and underground partisans liberated Odessa from German and Romanian forces. Odessa had been under nazi occupation since October 16 1941, two and a half years earlier.
In May 1965, in connection with the 20th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War, Odessa was recognized as one of the “Hero Cities” that had distinguished themselves with particularly courageous resistance against the enemy.
When I saw the report about the ballerina they mentioned she was charged with treason for donating to a Ukrainian charity. I smelled something fishy. I donate to an Islamic relief organization and dedicate my donations to feed the starving in Palestine. Since I don't donate to Hamas, I'm safe from treason charges.
Am I? It's getting crazy over here! They're talking about deporting US citizens. I'm a naturalized citizen on VA and SS pensions. I think of all the things I've posted, emailed and texted. A Buffalo Springfield song is haunted me since 1966. Lately it's been louder in my head. "there's a man with a gun over there and he said I better beware...". '66 was crazy too, JFK's blood still dried out on that street in Dallas, Vietnam Protests and Civil Rights Marches.
Today, living in this Monarchy of Oligarchs my paranoia runs deep.
Blessings to you Ian.